In 1866, Daniel Williamson and Amy Deans registered their 20-year cohabitation with a Wilson County justice of the peace. A year later, Williamson was dead. He died without a will, and his brother Alexander “Ellic” Williamson was appointed administrator of his estate. Amy Deans Williamson apparently died around the same time. Though neither appear in census records, it is possible from other documents to identify four of their children.

• Simon Williamson, alias Simon Deans

On behalf of Daniel’s estate, Alex Williamson paid out $9.00 to Albert Adams for the “nursing and Barrien” [burying] of Simon in early 1869. The 1870 mortality schedule of Springhill township, Wilson County, lists Simon Deens, 19, as having died of consumption in February 1870. Despite the discrepancy in the year, this would seem to be be the same boy, as Simon Deans is listed as a member of Albert Adams’ household.

• Turner Williamson

N.B. Though records are difficult to distinguish, this is a different Turner Williamson from George Turner Williamson, born about 1860 to Patrick and Spicey Williamson.

In an action filed in 1886 by Gray Deans and Turner Williamson over the payout of their father’s estate, Daniel’s (putative) brother Edmond Williamson testified that he had taken care of Daniel’s orphaned son Turner Williamson, who was a small boy and did not “earn his [own] support” for a few years.

On 8 October 1891, Turner Williamson, 30, of Crossroads township, married Margarett Barnes, 22, of Crossroads, daughter of Wilson Barnes and Maggie Barnes, in the presence of Gray Newsom, Henry Dudley and Huel Newsom.

In the 1910 census of Crossroads township, Wilson County: farmer Turner Williamson, 51, and children John E., 18, Bessie, 15, Effie, 12, Montie, 8, Junius T., 6, Annie, 5, and George D., 3.

Turner Williamson, 55, married Leesie Dew, 35, on 17 December 1914 in Crossroads township. [Is this the same Turner Williamson?]

In the 1920 census of Crossroads township, Wilson County: farmer Turner Williamson, 62; wife Margaret, 52; and children Bessie, 25, Effie, 23, Monte, 19, Turner, 17, Anne, 15, George, 13, Sarah, 4, and Amie, 8 months.

On 10 March 1929, Turner Williamson, 70, of Wilson married Lizzie Knight, 65, of Edgecombe County, daughter of Wilson Hagans, in Edgecombe County. Baptist minister Noah W. Smith performed the ceremony at Turner Pender’s in the presence of Turner Pender, James Henry Bynum and James Arthur Bynum.

In the 1930 census of Crossroads township, Wilson County: farmer Turner Williamson, 72, and wife Lizzie, 70; with Effie Bynum, 35, widow, and her children Rudolph, 8, Kermitt, 7, William, 4, and Clara, 2. Next door: Johnie Williamson, 39, farmer; wife Leamither, 32; and children John H., 14, Maggielene, 12, Burlie, 10, Oscar P., 8, Charles L., 5, and James, 2.

Turner Williamson died 21 October 1937 in Crossroads township, Wilson County. Per his death certificate, he was 77 years old; was married to Lizzie Heggins Williamson; and was a farmer. Johnie Williamson was informant.

• Gray Deans

In the same suit, Gray Deans testified that he and Turner had been carried to Edmond Williamson’s house after their father’s death and that Turner was about 11 years old at the time and could work for his support.

In the 1870 census of Old Fields township, Wilson County: John Taylor, 21, and Gray Deens, 18.

Gray Deans, 22, married Tamer Bailey 18, in Old Fields township. Minister B.H. Boykin performed the ceremony in the presence of Moses Bailey, Allin Bailey, and John Boykin.

In the 1880 census of Old Fields township, Wilson County: Gray Deans, 25, tenant farmer, and wife Tamer, 18.

In the 1900 census of Old Fields township, Wilson County: Gray Deans, 48, farmer, and wife Tamer, 38.

On 13 October 1901, Gray Deans, 50, son of Daniel Williamson and Amie Deans, married Mary Boykin, 33, daughter of John Pettifoot and Catherine Pettifoot, in Wilson County. James Petifoot, Samuel Petifoot and Joel Oneil witnessed the ceremony.

In the 1910 census of Old Fields township, Wilson County: Gray Deans, 59; wife Mary, 48; and granddaughter Mary C. Deans, 4.

Gray Deans died 10 June 1918 in Old Fields township, Wilson County. Per his death certificate, he was born 8 January 1858 to Daniel Williamson and Mary Deans [sic] and was married. Informant was Mary Deans. He died without a will, and Wilson County Superior Court issued letters of administration to R.T. Barnes, who estimated the estate at $750.00 and identified Deans’ heirs as widow Mary Deans, [brother Turner Williamson, and [sister] Sylvia Deans.

• Sylvia Mariah Deans

Sylvia Deans is not mentioned in Daniel Williamson’s estate files. She is, however, like, Turner Williamson, listed as an heir of Gray Deans, which suggests that she was their half-sister and they all shared a mother.

In the 1870 census of Springhill township, Wilson County: Silvia Deems, 36, domestic servant, with children Ellen, 8, and Jane, 6 months.

In the 1880 census of Old Fields township, Wilson County: Sylvia Deans, 46, with children Jane, 11, Simon, 9, and Columbus Deans, 6. [Sylvia Deans apparently was not married. The marriage and death records of her sons John Simon and Columbus Deans name their father as Jordan Oneil, who appears in the 1870 and 1880 censuses of Wilson County in Spring Hill township.]

In the 1900 census of Old Fields township: Columbus Deans, 23, wife Rosa L., 22, children Silvanes, 3, and Gray C., 1, and mother Silva Deans, 54. Next door: John Deans, 28, wife Ada P., 23, and grandmother Emily Taylor, 75. I

n the 1920 census of Old Fields township: Columbus B. Deans, 44; wife Rosa Lee, 41; children Savanah, 22, Gray C., 20, Allinor, 17, Walter Kelley, 16, Bennie H., 14, William T., 12, James K., 10, George L., 9, and Lucy J., 7; grandchildren Ella W., 6, and Lossie Lee, 3; and mother Sylvion Deans, 74.

In the 1930 census of Old Fields: Columbus B. Deans, 54; wife Rosa L., 52; children and grandchildren James K., 21, Lucy J., 17, Ella W., 16, Lossie L., 13, Jessie, 8, Willie, 4, and Callie, 2; and mother Silvia Deans, 84.

Silvia Mariah Deans died 9 January 1938 in Old Fields township, Wilson County. Per her death certificate, she was born in August 1843 in Nash County to Ernest Deans and Ennie Deans and was widowed. Simon Deans was informant. She was buried in New Vester church cemetery.